Galaxy Buds FE vs Galaxy Buds 3: Which Has Better Value?
By Naila Syifa
Updated July 2024
Galaxy Buds FE (Fan Edition) is generally considered the budget-friendly alternative to the flagship Galaxy Buds models, giving budget consumers access to a more affordable pair of Samsung's true wireless earbuds.
In this article, we'll take a look at how the Galaxy Buds FE stacks up against the latest Galaxy Buds 3 across six consideration aspects. What features does it sacrifice for a lower price point? Or does it have a few surprises up its sleeve?
Key Takeaways
Four key features that set the Galaxy Buds 3 apart from Galaxy Buds FE are Adaptive Equalizer, 24-bit Hi-Fi audio, 360 Audio, and IP57 dust and water resistance. While the Buds FE lacks those features, it has a compelling Ambient Sound mode that the Buds 3 lacks, plus with a more affordable price point.
Galaxy Buds FE
Entry-Level Smart Audio
✓ One-Way Speaker
✓ ANC & Ambient Mode
✓ Galaxy AI
✓ IPX2 Splash Resistance
Galaxy Buds 3
Enhanced Everyday Audio
✓ One-Way Speaker
✓ ANC, 24-bit Hi-Fi Audio, 360 Audio
✓ Galaxy AI
✓ IP57 Dust, Water, & Sweat Resistance
#1 Price
Galaxy Buds 3
At US$179.99, the Galaxy Buds 3 can be a considerable investment for budget-conscious consumers. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Buds FE is priced below $100.
At the time of its launch in 2023, the Galaxy Buds FE was priced at US$99.99. As of July 2024, the price has dropped even cheaper to US$79.99, making it a significantly more cost-saving option compared to the premium-priced Galaxy Buds 3.
#2 Design
Galaxy Buds FE
Galaxy Buds FE and Buds 3 have a strikingly different appearance. Buds FE has a bulb-shaped design reminiscent of the original Galaxy Buds, but with the addition of wingtips that help secure the earbuds in the ears. People who often have their earbuds falling out of their ears will appreciate this feature. Meanwhile, Galaxy Buds 3 has a stem design, making it more similar to the AirPods.
The stem of the Galaxy Buds 3 is where the touch controls are located, allowing swipe and pinch gestures for volume control, media playback, and more custom functions. Without the stem, the Galaxy Buds FE relies more on tapping and holding the earbud surface for its touch controls.
Galaxy Buds 3
Galaxy Buds FE comes in Graphite and White colors, while the Buds 3 is available in Silver and White color options. The Silver variant of the Buds 3 has a unique glossy metal look that gives it a more flashy appearance compared to the more minimalistic vibe of the Galaxy Buds FE.
Choosing which one has a better overall aesthetic is difficult as everyone has their own personal preferences, but the Galaxy Buds 3 generally looks more fancy.
When it comes to durability, the Galaxy Buds 3 has a clear advantage. It is rated IP57 for water and dust resistance, allowing it to withstand submersion in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, the Buds FE is only rated IPX2, offering limited water resistance against splashes.
#3 Audio Features
Galaxy Buds FE
Even though both the Galaxy Buds FE and Galaxy Buds 3 only have a single dynamic driver, their audio performance is impressive for their respective price points. The Buds 3 has a larger 11mm dynamic driver compared to the 6.5mm driver in the Buds FE, which allows it to deliver more powerful bass and a richer, more immersive sound.
Both earbuds feature Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), effectively blocking out external noise to provide an immersive listening experience.
The difference is that the Galaxy Buds FE also adds Ambient Sound mode, which can be customized to let in some levels of ambient noise, allowing users to stay aware of their surroundings. Fortunately, the Galaxy Buds 3 doesn't have an Ambient Sound feature, so users have to turn off the ANC altogether for ambient awareness.
The good news is that the Galaxy Buds 3 offers Adaptive Equalizer, 24-bit Hi-Fi audio support, and Enhanced 360 Audio, which are the more premium features that the Galaxy Buds FE lacks. Adaptive Equalizer automatically tailors sound based on how the earbuds fit in the user's ears, while 360 Audio provides a more immersive, theater-like sound experience.
#4 Smart Features
Interpreter
Despite being the budget alternative model, the Galaxy Buds FE is not missing out on the sophisticated smart features offered by the Galaxy Buds 3, such as Galaxy AI-powered Interpreter and Live Translate. The Interpreter allows users to get real-time translations during face-to-face two-way communication, while Live Translate provides one-way translation for over-the-phone conversations.
SmartThings Find is also supported on both the Galaxy Buds FE and Buds 3, allowing users to easily locate lost earbuds using the SmartThings app on their smartphone.
The only feature that the Buds FE is missing out on over the Buds 3 is Voice Control, which allows for hands-free voice commands without wake words. Unlike the Buds 3, the Buds FE features no Voice Control, but it instead supports Bixby which also can handle voice commands, though with a wake word required.
#5 Connectivity
Galaxy Buds FE
Galaxy Buds FE supports Bluetooth 5.2, while the Buds 3 supports Bluetooth 5.4 which is also LE Audio Ready.
Both earbuds support the Auto Switch feature, which allows for a seamless transition between multiple compatible devices, such as switching from listening to music on a tablet to answering a call on the phone.
Galaxy Buds 3 has another advantage with Auracast, a new Bluetooth feature that allows the earbuds to broadcast audio to multiple nearby devices simultaneously, enabling sharing of audio content with friends and family. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Buds FE doesn't support Auracast.
#6 Battery Life
Galaxy Buds 3
Galaxy Buds FE and Galaxy Buds 3 have different playtime capabilities, but determining the winner is a bit tricky. This is because the Buds FE has a longer play time when used independently while the Buds 3 has a longer play time when used with the charging case.
The buds of the Galaxy Buds FE have a 60mAh battery capacity, which can last for up to 6 hours with the ANC on or 8.5 hours with the ANC off. Meanwhile, Galaxy Buds 3 has a smaller 48mAh battery capacity for the earbuds, allowing it to last only for up to 5 hours with the ANC on and 6 hours with the ANC off.
When used with the charging case, Galaxy Buds FE has a total playtime of 21 hours with ANC on and 30 hours with ANC off. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Buds 3 can provide up to 24 hours of total playtime with ANC on and 30 hours with ANC off when used with the charging case.
Galaxy Buds FE vs Galaxy Buds 3
Final Thoughts
Galaxy Buds 3
The Galaxy Buds FE offers a compelling value proposition for budget-conscious consumers, delivering a feature-rich true wireless experience at a fraction of the cost of the premium Galaxy Buds 3. While it may lack some of the more advanced audio and smart capabilities of its flagship counterpart, the Buds FE compensates with a comfortable, secure fit, respectable audio quality, and a comprehensive suite of essential features like ANC and Ambient Sound.
Ultimately, the choice between the Galaxy Buds FE and Galaxy Buds 3 will depend on the individual's priorities and budget, as both earbuds provide a solid wireless audio experience tailored to different needs and price points.
If you like to read more about wireless earbuds, check out our other relevant guides here:
Best Wireless Earbuds
Galaxy Buds 3 vs Buds 3 Pro
Galaxy Buds 2 Pro vs Buds 3
Galaxy Buds 2 Pro vs Buds 3 Pro
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